World number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus dominated Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a politically charged Australian Open semi-final on Thursday, setting up a clash with Elena Rybakina for a chance to claim her third Melbourne title.
The semi-final was marked by the absence of a traditional handshake. Sabalenka defeated Svitolina 6-2, 6-3, and later, Kazakhstan’s Rybakina also secured a straight-sets triumph over the United States’ Jessica Pegula. The Belarusian’s relentless form makes her a formidable contender as she aims for her third Melbourne crown in just four years.
Sabalenka enters the first Grand Slam of 2026 with an 11-match winning streak, having won the Brisbane title prior to Melbourne. The powerful 27-year-old has reached her fourth consecutive Australian Open final without dropping a set all year, emphasizing her dominance on the court.
Historically, Sabalenka and the Moscow-born fifth seed Rybakina have faced each other 14 times, with Sabalenka winning eight of those encounters. This includes the 2023 Melbourne final, where she made a remarkable comeback to win in three sets.
Ahead of her semi-final match against 12th seed Svitolina, Rod Laver Arena officials announced that there would be no handshake following the match, requesting fans to “respect” the decision. Following the precedent of other Ukrainian players, Svitolina refrains from shaking hands with competitors from Russia or Belarus due to the ongoing war, and both players also maintained a noticeable distance during pre-match formalities and photos.
After her commanding victory, Sabalenka appeared close to tears as she reflected on the “dream” life she leads. She complimented Svitolina, stating, “I’m super happy with the win. She’s a really tough opponent and played incredible tennis all week.”
The match also had its controversial moments. During the fourth game, while the match was on serve, Sabalenka received a hindrance warning from the umpire for grunting, prompting a lengthy video review and boos from the crowd. Though she lost the point initially, she quickly regained composure, broke serve early in the second set, and surged to triumph.
Svitolina, reflecting on her loss, acknowledged the perspective her homeland’s situation brings. “People are living horrible and terrifying lives in Ukraine, so I should not be allowed to really be sad because I’m a very, very fortunate person,” said the 31-year-old, showing grace despite defeat.
This semi-final not only highlighted the players’ exceptional skill but also underscored the ongoing impact of geopolitical tensions on the tennis court, with Sabalenka moving forward to face Rybakina in a highly anticipated repeat of the 2023 Melbourne final.
